Bed or attachment therefor



Feb. 7, 1928.

M. C. NIXON BED OR ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Filed Sept. 2, 1922 f5 Z 2? 15 2526 J6 ii i irsso s'r MQF'EE C. NIXON, F CHIGACH), ILLINOIS.

BED on nrriiciimmir mirnnnron.

Application filed September 2, Serial No. 585,939;

My invention relates to beds. the object being to provide means wherebythe posture of the occupant of the bed may be changed without nducstrain or annoyance; and consists, r in lillGCOllil'lP-JZ hereinafterdescribed, which may be varied without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a bed with my improvementsattached, with lengthwise central portion broken out to reduce the widthoi. the drawing; 2 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1; Fig 33 is acentral part of Fig. l on an enlarged scale to better illustrate theoperct'ng mechanism; 4; is an cnla d end viewcn line 4.--i of Fig 2,show 5" the operating mechanisni'iit one side of the bed, the side rail,castir t sup citing mono and the hid sectioni in A; cction; Fig. 5 IS aView 0i Fig. 6 end ot the joint between the knee and foot sections fromthe underside in which the brace is shown partly in dotted line to avoidol'iscuring other parts; Fig. 6 is a side View of a transverse segmentfor closing the openings between extending parts and to for h anchorageiortheiab ric; Fig. 7 is stop View showing a inoditiczition in which acup is substituted for the segment shown in Figs. 5 and 6'; Fig. 8 is anend View 0'? modification of means for connecting and disconnecting; theclutch; Fig. 9 is a side VlLW from the lett 0t 8i and Fig 10 is an endVl'GW showing; a side rail in section with the supporting section orbracket and clampstrap in place.

In the drawings, simi "r numerals of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different views, and, referring to the same. 1 and 2 denotethe head and foot respec tively and 3 the side rails of a bed therebyfurnishing a, supporting frame to which my improvements may be attached.Secured to these rails are supporting brackets 4. which in the presentcase forms the central section or seat member of the jointed frame.These brackets are formed with a base 5 a to rest upon the top oi therails (see N. 10}. The central part ot the brackets extend upwarrh flushwith the outoi'sidr: of the rails, and at the proper height turn inwardto form anchorage 6 or ccntrai section of a joint to which the fabricthat supports the mattress may be attached. The brackets turn over theinner-side and adapted to rest against the Vertical an e of the rails,thereby forming abrace "Z-against the strain in cident to the weightuponthe fabric. Beneath the rails andextending downward from this braceare hangers 8 adapted to support the operatii'ig mechanism, and eX-tendingupward above anchorage flare ears imparts cdepted to form a partothinges 10, the object of which will appear later. These brackets maybe firm1y,-but preferably detochebly secured to the rails, as by clampstraps 1.1 formed of flat steel with a hole at each end, neer which theyare bent to right angles. Midway the bracketsandne'zrr their base areopeningslQ through which clamp-Straps pass, with others, toward eachend, all of which are bent around the base of the brackets and the railsand drawn, as by bolts 13, thereby securing the formerto the latterwith-mist pertorating the same. And, while these brackets are shown anddescribed as integral stampings, it isinaniports the mattress isattached, as byhelicals 18. Since this jomtedframe of which the bracketsand central section is a part turnishessupport for the fabric and theoperating mechanisnnwit is apparent that a different base for thebrackets could be usech to which the centralsectionyand the supports forthe operating mechanism'couldbe firmly secured in any suitablemanner,and thebase extended as a supporting frame, thereby forming aself-contained independent structure.

1.9 with spacers 20 between, secured to the brackets byrivets or othersuitable means, forms one part of the hinges, and parts'21 secured tothe body and thigh :1nembers 'lorm the other part. It the pivotcentersare low down with sutiicientclearance to permit the pivoted membersbeing raised to meet irequircments, it would leave an open space betweenthe anchorage "6 and extending parts 22 perinittin the bedding to saginto it, and when the members are, raised damage is liable to occur. Toavoid this contingency The upwardly extending parts 9 and parts llUpivot centers 25 are raised to near the level of said, anchorage. whichis made possible by the upwardly extending ears 9, thereby permittingthe anchorage and extending angles to be brought closer together, andthe intervening space may be filled by an elongated rivet head 24. 'Theopenings that would occur below the pivots when the movable members areraised may be avoided by extending the lower portion 25 of parts 21, soas to continually lap with the upright portion of the brackets. l

The pivoted connection between the thigh andleg members are preferablymade by shearing off the extending angles or parts 22 of both membersand pivotally securing them together, as by rivets 26. This construction leaves an open space between the extending parts and when thepivoted ends are raised permits the bedding to sag into it, and whenlowered damage is liable to occur. To prevent this, parts 27 areprovided (see Figs. 5 and 6), which are formed with a transverse segmentof a cylindrical form 28 at one end and notches 29, 29 and 29 at theother. These parts may be firmly secured to either member but in thepresent case are secured to the thigh member and so positioned that theextending angles of the leg member will swing close to them while beingraised and lowered, thereby closing the openings and preventing thebedding from sagging into them. These parts could also be made to fillanother important place by attaching the fabric to them through holes30, thereby preventing the sagging that would follow the bending ofthese joints if the fabric is attached to the extending angles furtherfrom them.

A modification of these segments are cups 28' (see Fig. 7) adapted to besecured in place, as by rivets 267, that form pivot connections betweenthe thigh and leg members. The size of the cups should be suchthat theextending angles would swing close to them thereby closing andpreventing the bedding from sagging into the openings, the fabric beingattached through holes 30' as in the other case. It is understood, ofcourse, that either'of the devices described may be used to fill theopenings at the different plvoted joints, and are not limited to the.ocations as herein shown. I

If the leg member is permitted to drag while its connecting end with thethigh member isbeing raised until an acute angle 18 reached, thetendency would be to even tually damage the mattress and be lesscomfortable to the occupant of the bed. To avoid this. a bar or braceBlis provided. While they may be carried in any suitable manner by eitherthe thigh or legmember, in the present case they are pivotally attachedto the latter, as by rivets 32, with ends 33 extending beyond the pivotconnecof which are bored and threaded.

tions of two members, the ends 3-1 being adapted to contact with theframe to which they are secured, holding the braces in 13051- tion toguide ends 321 into stops or notches 29, thus auton'mtically formingbraces that will lift the free end of the leg member by further movementof the thigh member.

Then, if desired to further raise the tree end of the leg member itn'iay be done by lifting it and placing ends of the braces in stops ornotches 21 or 29" as preferred. From the central part of these braces totheir free ends they are reduced to avoid ii'itcrfering with the otherparts when jointed frame is lowered to a fiat or normal position.

To prevent the sides of the jointed frame being drawn toward each otherby the weight upon the fabric, a spreader is provided, which a: Firmlysecured in any suitable manner to opposite sides of the frame, thenumber used being governed by requirements. This aprrwider is oll'setnear its ends for enough to drop below the fabric to prevent the latterrwziing upon it, thus avoiding rigid resistance to the same whenweighted by the occupant of the bed.

Pivotally supported in ljiearings 36 are supporting frames 37, each ofwhich carry an operating mechanism, said Frames being COll'lllOSGil o'l'rastiugs 235i ecurod to ronnecting rods 39. 'llwse casings are providedwith sockets and are slotted between cars 40 to permit contraction. Intothese sockets the ends of connecting rods are placed, permittingadjustmmit, be "[iinly clznnpcd, as by bolts ll. The length of the rodsand frames dept-ruling upon the width of the bed on which they are used.so that the pivot ends may rest in said bearings. To prevent frames 3?from slipping from bearings screws l -l are tapptal into the pivot endsi c l h and on said la rger diameter than that of the openir of thebearings, which will prevent said pn'ob from slipping therefrom. Thecastings are formed with openings 4-4. in which are gears it"), the hubsQuid ('llHl- Jugs are also provid d with transverse round holes. throughwhich threaded rods i6 pass and around tin-an said gears revolve.

Castings n8 also furn h support and bearino s For driving shal which areion! naled therein-21ml lo tb'uuare cured gears 48 that mate with anddrive gears 4-5. which rerolve around too threaded rods. the latterbeing bent near their upper end to right angles and reduced withshoulders elf} there on and projecting ll'ur'uigh holes in brackets 50(see Fig. -f!-l secured to the underside of. the ho lv and thigh membersof the jointed frame. bv which the pivoted mcuibcw are raised andlowered in adjusting their pos lim t Tho e ends are further reduced andthwzdrd wi h a nut 5i thereon with sufficient screws are washers 4 witha after which they may 1 play between them: and the shoulders topermitadjustment to. compensate for variation.ofconstruction e r-widthof beds. The operation of the mechanism. referred to is described inprevious applications that resulted in Patents Nos. 1,348,820 and1,398,917 1.

The construction described provides for operating: the body and thighmembers sep arately, but it is desired to provide mechanism whereby thepivoted members of the jointed frame may be operated simultaneously orsinglyas preferred. To accomplish this, sprocket wheel 52 is mountedupon one ofthe driving shafts and secured thereto, as by pin 53, andloosely mounted upon the other driving shaft is sprocket wheel 5%, whichis operatively connected therewith, as by clutch 55, the driving halfbeing firmly secured to said'shaft, as by pin 56. The

wheel and its connecting half of the clutch being slidably mounted uponthe shaft, the clutch may be operated by lever 5's", which is pivotallysecured to ear 58 that extends from one of the castings 38", as by bolt59, and is connectedwith the clutclnas by pins 60., that extend fromabove and; below into groove 61 in the sprocket wheel hub. At theopposite side of thebed i s a lever 62 pivotally' secured to a similarcar 58 that tends from the other casting 38 and is e pbv erativelyconnected with the lever 57, rods63, thereby providing means forconnecting and disconnecting the clutch from either side of the bed. Thetwo sprocket wheels are operatively.connected, as by chain 64., and whenthe clutch is connected the pivoted members of the jointed frame may besimultaneously operated, as by crank 65, which may be applied at eitherend of shafts 47', made operative, as by pins 65, and by disconnectingthe clutch, the operating mechanism and the pivoted 'ineinbers of thejointed frame with which they are connected may be operated singly. I

The ternrnormal position used in some of the claims is intended to meanthe position of the pivoted members of the jointed frame when they arein a single plane or an position.

A modification of means for connecting and disconnecting the clutch isshown in Figs. 8 and 9, in which castings 38, connec ing rod 39 and driing shaft 4t? are similar to those described 89 and 47, 6X- cept thatthe castings are provided with additional bearings 67, and revolublymounted therein is a shaft 68 on which is firmly secured a worm 69, asby pin 70. The sprocket wheel 54 and clutch 55 are similar to thosedescribed as 5% and except that the hub ofthe sprocket wheel is provitedwith a rim 71, instead of the groove or. that operates in conjunctionwith the worm, and by turning shaft 68 the worm causes the in shafts4'?" it ma be 0 erated b the same crank 65, which may be applied ateither end thereby connecting or disconnecting the clutch from eitherside'of the bed.

If desired to raise eith r the body and thigh members faster than theother, it is evident that may be accomplished by having one of thesprocket wheels larger than the other and the movement of the pivotedsections will be governed accordingly.

While the preferred embodiment of my in vent-ion has been describedherein l do not wish to be limited to the details of construction shownas it is apparent that changes may readily be made without departingfrom the spirit of my invention, and having described one form ofconstruction I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent thefollowing:

'1. In a structure of the class described the combination of a memberpivotally supported at one end, another member pivotallyattached to thefree end of the supported member, and means pivotally attached to andnormally extending beyond the end of one of said members and adapted toautomatically form a brace as the pivotally connectedends of saidmembersare elevated whereby the free end ofthe attached member may be raised bythe movement of the supported member.

2. In a structure of the ciass described, the combination of a jointed:t'rame having openings between extending parts at pivot connections,and means adapted to prevent bedding from sagging into said openings andfurnish anchorage for a lll1btl6SS Sl1p porting fabric.

3. In a structure of the class described 7 the combination of a jointedframe embodymg a central section and members plvotally secured thereto,gears at each side of said structure, operative connections between thepivoted members and said gears, and means adapted torotate said gearsaround said connections whereby the position of said members may beadjusted either singly 01' simultaneously.

l. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a support amember pivotally supported thereby at oneend, another member pivotallyattached to the free end of the pivotally supporhid member, and a bracebetween said members so arranged that the free end of the pivotallyattached member may be raised by a rising movement of the pivotallysupported meml said bracebeing releasable by contact of the plvotallyattached member with the support upon lowering said members to normalposition.

(ill

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a support,a member pivotally supported thereby at one end, another memberpivotally attached to the free end of the pivotally supported member,and a brace between said members so arrangedthat the free end of theattached member may be raised by a rising movement of the pivotallysupported member, said brace being" auto matically releasable as saidmembers are lowered to normal pos' ion and so constructed as to permitthe latter to be lowered to a Hat position.

6. in a structure (it the class described, the combination ot a memberpivotally supported at one end, another member pivotally attached to thefree end, of the pivotally supported mcn'iber, a member pivot-allysecured to one o'lsaidmembers and a co-acting member carried by theother pivoted member, and means adapted to guide one end of the sccuredmember into contact with its enacting member thereby forming a bracethat is brought into action by elevating the pivotally supported memberthrough which the free end of the attached member may he raised by arising movement (it the pivotally supported member.

7. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a support amember pivotally supported thereby at one end and arranged so the freeend thereof may be raised and lowered to different positions, anothermember pivotally attached to the tree end of the pivotally supportedmember, and a brace between said members so arranged that the attachedmember may be supported in a aised position by the pivotally supportedmember, said brace being adapted to release by engagement of theattached member with said support as said members are being lowered tonormal position.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a supportanieinber pivotally supported therebyat one end and arran ged so theother end thereof may be raised and-lowered to dilierent positions,another member pivotally attached to the free end oil the pivotallysupported member, and means adapted to form abrace between said memberswhereby the attached member may be supported by the pivotally supportedmember in a raised position, said brace automatically releasing andavoiding", interference with said members as the latter are low credinto normal position.

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a memberpivotally supported at one end and arranged. so the other end thereofmay be raised and lowered to di:ttcrent positions, another memberpivotally attached to the free end o't thepivotally supported member, amember pivotally se cured to one of said pivoted members and a coactingmember carried by the other pivoted member, and means adapted to guide aportion of the pivotally secured member into contact with its co-actingmember thereby forming a brace which brought into action by elevatingthe pivotally supported member and adapted to support said attachedmember when its free end is in a raised position.

10. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a supporta member pivotally supported thci'ch at one end, open atingmeans adaptedto raise and lower the free end of said memljier to different positions.another n'iembcr pivot-ally attached to the :t'ree end oi? the pivotallysuppruted incur her. a member pivotaily secured to one oi said pivotedmembers and a co-amtine part carried by the other pivoted member therebyforming a brace adapted to support said attached member when in raisedposition, said brace being adapted to release automaticall) as saidpivoted members are lowered to normal position.

11. In a s ructure ol the class described, the combination of a support,a n'ieinhcr pivotally supported thereby at one end, open atom: meansadapted to raise and lower the free end of said member to differentpositions. another member pivotally attached to the tree end of thepivotally supported memher. a member pivot-ally secured to one of saidpivoted members and a CO21ClTlHg memher carried by the other pivotedmember thereby forming a brace adapted to support said attached memberwhen in a raised position, said brace being; adapted to releaseautoi'natically as said. pivoted members are being lowered to normalposition.

12. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a fabricsu iporting frame embodyingmembers having co-engacing portions, meansadapted to pivotally secure said portions together, the coils of saidmembers adjacent said; port-ions being; cut out to provide for treeswinging movement of said IHGD'IlDGTS, and means adapted to close thecutout places and to provide anchorage for the tabricat said cut outplaces.

13. In a structure of the clash-s dcscril'icd, the combination ot a:tabric supporting; frame embodying, ll'lQlllllQiS liuvinu'ire-engaginaportions, a pivot pin extending through said portions, theends of said members adjacent said portions being cu out to provide fortree swinging movement of said mum bers, and means adapted to provideanchorage for the fabric at said cut out places.

14:. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a jointed trau'ie embody ing a central. seat sectionand meinl iers piv-- otally secured to the respective ends of saidcentral scat section, means connected with said pivoted members, andmeans rotatable around said connected means, and driving means for saidrotatable means whereby the free end of the pivotedmembers maybesimultaneously or independently raised or lowered to difierentpositions.

15,111 a structure of the class described,

the combination of a jointed frame embodying a central seat section andmembers pivotally secured to said central seat section, means connectedwith said pivoted members. and means rotatable around said connectedmeans and so arranged that the free end of the pivoted members may besimultaneously or independently raised or lowered to dif ferentpositions.

16, in a structure of the class described, thecombination of a support,a member pivotally supported thereby at one end, another memberpivotally attached to the free end of the pivotally supported member,and a brace between said members so arranged that the free end of theattached member may be raised and lowered by raising and lowering thepivotally supported member, said brace being adapted to support thepivotally attached member in different positions relative to thepivotally supported member when the former is adjusted manually andbeing automatically releasable by the pivotally attached member engagingwith said support upon lowering said members to normal position.

17. In a structure of the class described, the combination of framemembers having co-engaging portions, a member extending through saidportions for pivotally connecting said frame members, the ends of saidframe members adjacent said, pivotal connection having cut-out portionsto provide for free swinging movement of the frame members, and rigidmeans connected to one of said members and adapted to close said cut-outplaces for the purpose specified.

18. ln a structure of the class described, the combination of fabricsupporting frame members having co-engaging portions, a member extendingthrough said portions for pivotally connecting said frame members, theends of said frame members adjacent said pivotal connection havingcut-out portions to provide for free swinging movement of the framemembers, and rigid means connected to one of said members, adapted toclose said cut-out places and to provide an anchorage for the fabric atsaid cut-out places.

19. in a structure of the class described, the combination of framemembers having co-engaging portions, a member extending through saidportions for pivotally connecting said frame members, the ends of saidframe members adjacent said pivotal connection having cut-out portionsto provide for free swinging movement of the frame members, and rigidmeans connected to one of said members and having a convened portionadapted to close said cut-out places.

the combination of a 20. In a structure of the class described, thecombinationof fabric supportingframe members having co-engagingportions, a member extending through said portions for pivotallyconnecting said frame members, the ends of said frame members adjacentsaid pivoted connection having cut-out portions to provide for freeswinging movement of the frame members, andcon'vexed p01 tions adaptedto close said'cut out places and to provide an anchorage for the fabricat such cut-out places.

21. In a structure of the class described, the combination of framemembers having (Jo-engaging portions, a member'eXtending through saidpoi tionsfor pivotally connecting said frame members, the ends of saidframemembers adjacent said pivotalconnection having cut-out portions toprovide for free swinging movement ofthe frame members, and a memberconnected to one of said members and having a convexed portion withwhich the adjacent end of the other frame member co-ope rates therebysubstantially closing said cut-out places. i

22. In a structure of theclass described, the combination of fabricsupporting frame members having co-engaging portions, a member extendingthrough said portions for pivotally connecting said frame members,

theends of said frame members adjacent said pivotal connection havingcut-out portions to provide for freeswinging movement of the framemembers, and a member connected to one of said frame members andhavingaconvexed portion with which the adjacent end of the other frame memberco -operates, thereby substantially closing said icut-out places, andproviding an anchorage forthe fabric at said cut-out places,

23. In a structure of the class described, central section, members eachpivotally secured at one en d to the respective ends of thecentralsection, elements pivotally secured to said membersand supportedfor reciprocating movement, 'operating means for imparting such movementto said elements, and means whereby the op erating means may be causedto drive said elements simiiltaneously orindependently.

24. In a 'structure'of the class described, the combination of a centralsection members each pivotally secured at one end to the respective endsof the central section, elements pivotally secured to said membersintermediate of their ends and supported for reciprocating movement,rotatable means for imparting such movement to said elements, and meanswhereby the rotatable means may be caused to drive said element-ssimultaneously or independently.

25. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a centralsection, members each pivotally secured at one end to the respectiveends of the central section, ele- Q to said elements, and

ments pivotally secured to said members, rotatable means adapted toimpart a reciprocating movement to said elements, and means for drivingsaid rotatable means whereby the free end of said members may be raisedor lowered simultaneously or each independently.

26. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a centralsection, members each pivotally secured at one end to the respectiveends of the central section, elements pivotally secured to said membersintermediate of their ends, operating means adapted to impart areciprocating movement means for driving said operating means wherebythe free end of said members may be raised and lowered simultaneously oreach independently;

27. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a centralsection, members each pivotally secured at one end to the respectiveends of the central section, elements pivotally secured to said membersand supported ior reciprocating movement, operating means for impartingsuch movement to said elements, pivoted support for said operatingmeans, and means for driving said operating means whereby the free endof said members may be raised and lowered simultaneously or eachindependently.

28. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a central section, members each pivotally secured atone end tothe respective ends means with operative connection with saidmembers, pivoted support for said rotatable means, and means for drivingsaid rotatable means whereby the free end of said membersmay be raisedand lowered simultaneously or each independently. 29. In a structure ofthe class described, the combination of a central section, members eachpivotally secured atone endto the respectiveends of the central section,elements pivotally secured to said members, op erating means adapted toimpart a reciproeating movement to said elements, and means for drivingsaid operating means whereby the osition of said members may be adjustedsimultaneously or each independently.

30. In a structure of the class described,

of the central section, rotatable.

the combination of frame members having co-engaging portions, a memberextending through said portions for pivotally connecting said framemembers, one of said frame members having a cut out portion adjacentsaid pivotal connection to rovide for free swinging movement of t ieother frame member, and an extending portion carried by one of themembers and adapted to prevent bedding from sagging into the openingcaused by said out out portion.

31. In a structure of the class described, the combination of framemembers having co'engaging portions, a member extending throughsaidportions for pivot'ally connectingsaid frame members, a portion of saidframe menlbers cut away adjacent said pivotal connection to provide forfree swinging movement ofsaid frame members, and extending means carriedby one of said members and adapted to approximately close the openingcaused by said cut out portion.

32. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a n'lemberpivotally supported at one end and arranged so the other end thereof maybe raised and lowered to different positions, another member pivctallyattached to the free end oi the pivot-ally supported member, elementscarried by one of said pivoted members and enacting means carried by theother pivoted member, one end oi? each of said elements being soarranged as to guide the other end thereof into contact with theco-acting means thereby forming a brace which is brought into action byelevating the pivotally supported member and is adapted to support saidattached member as its free end elevated.

In a structure of the class described, the combination of frame membershaving co-engaging portions, a pivot connection ex tending through saidportions for pivotally connecting said 1" nine members, the ends of saidfram members adjacent said pivotal connection having cutaway portions toprovide for free swinging movement of the frame members, and meansextending from the pivot connection adapted to substantially close theopening caused by said cut-away portions. I

. MOSES G. NIXON.

